Image forming apparatus that determines whether to shift between multiple states

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus includes a communication interface configured to communicate with a portable terminal capable of receiving a signal from a transmitter in a detection area. A processor of the apparatus is configured to determine whether to shift to an operable state from a sleep state based on user information contained in proximity information when the proximity information, containing the user information indicating that a user enters the detection area, is received by the communication interface from the portable terminal receiving a signal from the transmitter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/044,989 filed Jul. 25, 2018, whichclaims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2017-246238, filed Dec. 22, 2017, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image formingapparatus.

BACKGROUND

A conventional digital MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) having a printerand a scanner has a function (sleep function) of entering a sleep statein which an operation of each section is stopped to reduce powerconsumption. The digital MFP in the sleep state can perform variousprocesses by waking up (shifting to an operable state) in response to apredetermined trigger. For example, there is a digital MFP having afunction of detecting approach of a user with a human sensor and thenwaking up.

However, in a wake-up control in response to the detection of a personby the human sensor, the digital MFP wakes up irrespective of anintention of behavior of the detected person. For example, if thedigital MFP also wakes up when a person who does not use the digital MFPis detected, the electric power is wasted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of aninformation processing system according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofa digital MFP according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofa portable terminal according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for depicting an example of the operation of theportable terminal according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for depicting an example of the operation whenproximity information is received in the digital MFP according to atleast one embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for depicting an example of the operation whenleaving information is received in the digital MFP according to at leastone embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with at least one embodiment, an image forming apparatuscomprises a communication interface configured to communicate with aportable terminal capable of receiving a signal from a transmitter in adetection area; and a processor configured to determine whether to shiftto an operable state from a sleep state based on user informationcontained in proximity information when the proximity information,containing the user information indicating that a user enters thedetection area, is received by the communication interface from theportable terminal receiving a signal from the transmitter.

Hereinafter, at least one embodiment will be described with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofan information processing system including a digital multi-functionperipheral (MFP) 1 according to at least one embodiment.

In the example of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the informationprocessing system according to at least one embodiment has the MFP 1, aportable terminal 3, and a PC 4. The digital MFP 1, the portableterminal 3 and the PC 4 are connected with each other via a LAN (LocalArea Network) 5. The LAN 5 may be of a wired type or a wireless type, ormay be a combination of the wired type and the wireless type.

The MFP 1 is a multi-function information processing apparatus includingan image forming apparatus. The MFP 1 has a printer, a scanner, acommunication interface, and the like. The MFP 1 realizes a copying(copy) function, a printer function, a scanner function, a facsimilefunction, and the like. For example, the digital MFP 1 receives a printjob from the portable terminal 3 or the PC 4 via the LAN 5 as a printerfunction, and executes a printing process according to the print job. Asthe scanner function, the digital MFP 1 transmits an image read by thescanner to the portable terminal 3 or the PC 4, or stores the read imagein a designated storage device. The MFP 1 may be an image formingapparatus at least having a printer.

The MFP 1 may be used by an individual person at home alone, or may beused by several persons such as a large number of persons or more. Forexample, the MFP used by many persons has a function (login function)with which a user needs to log into the MFP first to use it, and needsto log out after use. The MFP 1 having the login function can improvethe convenience and security of each user even if the MFP 1 is used bymany persons. Herein, the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment isused by a plurality of users and has the login function.

The MFP 1 has a sleep function to enter a sleep state (power saving modestate) in order to reduce power consumption when not in use. The digitalMFP 1 shifts to the sleep state if a preset sleep condition (e.g., if anon-operation period is equal to or longer than set time, or a period inwhich no job is received is equal to or longer than the set time) issatisfied. In the sleep state, the MFP 1 stops supply of electric powerto each section such as a printer, a scanner, etc., except for thesupply of the electric power to each section for performing datacommunication and control instruction. The digital MFP 1 has a functionof shifting (waking up) from the sleep state to an operable state if apreset wakeup condition (e.g., if an operation is input or if a job isreceived) is satisfied.

A beacon terminal (transmitter) 2 transmits a signal (beacon signal) fora beacon. The beacon terminal 2 may be any device as long as it canalways transmit the beacon signal. For example, the beacon terminal 2may transmit a signal by conforming to a low power consumption typeBluetooth® Technology. The beacon terminal 2 transmits a signal with asignal strength equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold valuein a detection area set as a base point of the digital MFP 1.

The beacon terminal 2 transmits a signal including information (forexample, identification information of the MFP) indicating thecorresponding MFP 1 in the detection area. In the present embodiment,the beacon terminal 2 transmits a signal including unique identificationinformation (unique ID) containing the identification information of theMFP (or beacon terminal). For example, the beacon terminal 2 maytransmit a signal including three types of information, i.e., a uniqueID (UID), a major value, and a minor value. In this case, the UID may be128 bits, and the major value and the minor value may be 16-bitintegers.

In at least one embodiment, the beacon terminal 2 is connected to thedigital MFP 1. In at least one embodiment, the beacon terminal 2operates by receiving the supply of the electric power from the digitalMFP 1, and can be controlled by the digital MFP 1. However, the beaconterminal 2 may not be connected to the digital MFP 1. For example, thebeacon terminal 2 may be installed in the vicinity of the digital MFP 1so as to transmit the beacon signal within the detection area as aseparate device from the digital MFP 1. The beacon terminal 2 mayreceive the electric power from an external power supply such as a smallbattery or a dry battery.

The portable terminal 3 is an electronic device carried by a user. Theportable terminal 3 may be any device as long as it has a function ofreceiving the beacon signal and a function of transmitting informationto the digital MFP 1. For example, the portable terminal 3 is asmartphone, a wearable terminal, a mobile phone, a tablet PC, or thelike. The portable terminal 3 carries out various processes by executingan application program (hereinafter, also simply referred to as an app).For example, the portable terminal 3 can be connected to the digital MFP1 according to connection information such as a set SSID and a password,and can perform printing with the digital MFP 1. In at least oneembodiment, the portable terminal 3 has a function of performingprinting by sending a print job including image data for printing andvarious information (user information, print setting, etc.) to thedigital MFP 1.

The PC 4 is connected to the digital MFP 1 via the LAN 5. The PC 4carries out various processes by executing an application program(hereinafter, also simply referred to as an app). In at least oneembodiment, the PC 4 can perform printing with the digital MFP 1 byexecuting a printer driver as an app for printing. The PC 4 performsprinting by sending a print job including image data for printing andvarious information (user information, print setting, etc.) to thedigital MFP 1.

Next, the configuration of the digital MFP 1 is described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofthe digital MFP 1 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 1 includes a processor 10, a system memory11, a data memory 12, a communication I/F 13, a scanner 15, a displaydevice 16, an input device 17, a printer 18, and the beacon terminal 2.

The processor 10 carries out various processes by executing a program.The processor 10 is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit). Theprocessor 10 may be connected to each section in the MFP 1 via a bus.The processor 10 executes various processes by executing the programstored in the system memory 11 or the data memory 12. For example, theprocessor 10 executes a basic operation control of the MFP 1 byexecuting an OS (Operating System) program. The processor 10 executesvarious processes by executing application programs designed in responseto processing contents.

The system memory 11 is a memory group used by the processor 10 tooperate, and includes a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The RAM is a volatilememory. The RAM is used as a working area for temporarily storing datato be used. The ROM is a nonvolatile memory. The ROM stores variousprograms such as the OS program or application programs to be executedby the processor 10.

The data memory 12 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The data memory12 is a memory device such as a HDD (hard disk drive), a SSD (solidstate drive), an EEPROM® Technology (electric erasable programmableread-only memory), for example. The data memory 12 stores data to beused in various processes executed by the processor 10. For example, thedata memory 12 stores setting information for the operation of the MFP1. The data memory 12 may store the OS or the application.

The communication I/F 13 is used for data communication. In at least oneembodiment, the communication I/F 13 functions as an interface forcommunicating with the portable terminal 3 and the PC 4 via the LAN 5.The communication I/F 13 may be any interface as long as it cancommunicate with the portable terminal 3 and the PC 4. For example, thecommunication I/F 13 may directly perform wireless communication withthe portable terminal 3 without going through the LAN 5. Thecommunication I/F 13 may be used for communicating with an externaldevice via a network including a WAN (Wide Area Network) so as toperform transmission and reception of facsimile.

The scanner 15 reads an image of a document as image data. For example,the scanner 15 optically scans the image of the document to acquire theimage data. In this case, the scanner 15 may include an image capturingelement such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) image sensor and anoptical system for guiding light from the document to the imagecapturing element. The scanner 15 may read the image by other methods.

The display device 16 displays information. The display device 16 is,for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL(electro-luminescence) display. The input device 17 receives anoperation by an operator (user or administrator). The input device 17is, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, a numeric keypad, and thelike. The display device 16 and the input device 17 constitute anoperation device. For example, the operation device for the user oradministrator to operate the MFP 1 may include a display panel (displaydevice 16) having a touch panel as the input device 17.

The printer 18 prints an image on an image receiving medium such as asheet. The printer 18 is not limited to a specific image forming system.For example, the printer 18 may be an electrophotographic system, aninkjet system, or a thermal transfer system. In at least one embodiment,the printer 18 is a printer of the electrophotographic system.

The beacon terminal 2 transmits a signal (beacon signal) with a signalstrength equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value in thedetection area in the vicinity of the digital MFP 1. In theconfiguration shown in FIG. 1, the beacon terminal 2 is connected to theprocessor 10 of the MFP 1. In the example of the configuration shown inFIG. 1, the processor 10 may control the signal transmitted by thebeacon terminal 2. For example, the processor 10 may adjust the strengthof the signal transmitted by the beacon terminal 2.

Next, the configuration of the portable terminal 3 is described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofthe portable terminal 3 according to at least one embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the portable terminal 3 may include a processor 20,a system memory 21, a data memory 22, a communication I/F 23, a displaydevice 24, an input device 25, and a receiver 26.

The processor 20 and the system memory 21 constitute a controller forcontrolling the portable terminal 3. The processor 20 carries outvarious processes by executing a program. The processor 20 is, forexample, a CPU. The processor 20 may be connected to each section inportable terminal 3 via a bus. The processor 20 executes variousprocesses by executing the program stored in the system memory 21 or thedata memory 22. For example, the processor 20 executes a basic operationcontrol of the portable terminal 3 by executing an OS (Operating System)program. The processor 20 executes various processes by executingapplication programs designed in response to processing contents.

The system memory 21 is a memory used by the processor 20 to operate.For example, the system memory 21 includes a RAM and a ROM. The RAM is avolatile memory. The RAM is used as a working area for temporarilystoring data to be used. The ROM is a nonvolatile memory. The ROM storesvarious programs such as the OS program or application programs to beexecuted by the processor 20.

The data memory 22 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The data memory22 is a HDD, a SSD, an EEPROM® Technology. The data memory 22 storesvarious application programs, control data, user data and the like.

The communication I/F 23 is used for data communication. In at least oneembodiment, the communication I/F 23 communicates with the MFP 1. Thecommunication I/F 23 may communicate with the MFP 1 via the network 5,or may communicate with the MFP 1 without going through the network. Thecommunication I/F 23 may perform wireless communication or wiredcommunication. For example, the communication I/F 23 communicates withthe MFP 1 via a network including a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. Thecommunication I/F 23 may communicate with the MFP 1 via a networkincluding the WAN. Furthermore, the communication I/F 23 may perform ashort-range wireless communication.

The display device 24 comprises a display. The display content of thedisplay device 24 is controlled by the processor 20. The input device 25is, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, a numeric keypad, and thelike. The input device 25 supplies an operation instruction input by theuser or the administrator to the processor 20. The display device 24 andthe input device 25 are constituted by a display device attached with atouch panel.

The receiver 26 receives a signal transmitted from the beacon terminal2. The processor 20 determines the signal strength of the beacon signalreceived by the receiver 26. In at least one embodiment, the processor20 has a function of determining whether or not the signal strength ofthe beacon signal received by the receiver 26 is equal to or higher thana predetermined threshold value. The receiver 26 may output to theprocessor 20 a signal indicating whether or not the signal strength ofthe received beacon signal is equal to or higher than the predeterminedthreshold (or whether or not it is within the detection region).

Next, the operation of the portable terminal 3 according to the presentembodiment is described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for depicting an example of the operation of theportable terminal 3 according to the present embodiment.

In the portable terminal 3, an application program (hereinafter, alsosimply referred to as an app) to be executed by the processor 20 isinstalled in the system memory 21 or the data memory 22. The processor20 executes various processes described later by executing the app. Forexample, the processor 20 realizes a function of receiving the beaconsignal, a function of determining whether it is within the detectionarea, a function of transmitting the information to the MFP 1 byexecuting the app.

If the processor 20 of the portable terminal 3 executes the app forconnecting to the MFP 1, the receiver 26 is prepared to receive thebeacon signal transmitted by the beacon terminal 2. Upon reception ofthe signal from the beacon terminal 2 (Yes in ACT 11), the processor 20determines whether the portable terminal 3 is within the detection area(ACT 12).

For example, if the strength of the signal received by the receiver 26is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold value, theprocessor 20 determines that the portable terminal 3 is within thedetection area. A distance between the beacon terminal 2 and theportable terminal 3 (the receiver 26 of the portable terminal 3) isestimated by the strength of the beacon signal received by the receiver26. If the strength of the beacon signal is set to be equal to or higherthan the predetermined threshold value within the detection region, theprocessor 20 can determine whether or not the portable terminal 3 iswithin the detection region based on the signal strength received by thereceiver 26. In other words, if a user who carries the portable terminal3 enters the detection area, the processor 20 receives the signal fromthe beacon terminal 2 with the signal strength equal to or higher thanthe predetermined threshold value by the receiver 26. Thus, theprocessor 20 determines that the portable terminal 3 is within thedetection area.

If it is determined that the portable terminal 3 is within the detectionarea, the processor 20 determines whether the portable terminal 3 movesto (enters) the inside of the detection area from the outside of thedetection area (ACT 13). For example, if the strength of the signalreceived by the receiver 26 becomes equal to or higher than thepredetermined threshold value from a state of being smaller than thepredetermined threshold value, the processor 20 determines that theportable terminal 3 enters the detection area from the outside of thedetection area. If it is determined that the portable terminal 3 entersthe detection area (Yes in ACT 13), the processor 20 transmits proximityinformation (entry information) indicating entry to the detection areato the MFP 1 (ACT 14).

For example, the processor 20 specifies the identification informationof the MFP 1 contained in the unique ID contained in the signal from thebeacon terminal 2 received by the receiver 26. If the identificationinformation of the MFP 1 is specified, the processor 20 generates theproximity information indicating that the portable terminal enters thedetection area of the MFP specified by the identification information.The proximity information contains user information. The userinformation contained in the proximity information is, for example, theidentification information of the portable terminal 3, theidentification information of the user, or information indicating bothof them. If the proximity information is generated, the processor 20transmits the proximity information to the MFP 1 specified by theidentification information contained in the beacon signal via the LAN 5through the communication I/F 23.

If the portable terminal 3 is beyond the detection area, the processor20 determines whether the portable terminal 3 moves (leaves) from theinside of the detection area to the outside of the detection area (ACT15). For example, if the strength of the signal received by the receiver26 becomes less than the predetermined threshold value from a state ofbeing equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold value, theprocessor 20 determines that the portable terminal 3 moves to theoutside of the detection area from the inside of the detection area(leaves the detection area). If it is determined that the portableterminal 3 leaves the detection area (Yes in ACT 15), the processor 20transmits the leaving information to the MFP 1 (ACT 16).

For example, the processor 20 specifies the identification informationof the MFP 1 contained in the unique ID contained in the beacon signalreceived by the receiver 26 immediately before leaving the detectionarea. The processor 20 generates the leaving information indicating thatthe portable terminal leaves the detection area of the MFP specified bythe identification information contained in the beacon signal receivedimmediately before leaving. The leaving information includes userinformation. The user information contained in the leaving informationis, for example, the identification information of the portable terminal3, the identification information of the user who carries the portableterminal 3, or information indicating both of them. If the leavinginformation is generated, the processor 20 transmits the leavinginformation to the MFP 1 specified by the identification informationcontained in the beacon signal using the communication I/F 23.

By repeatedly executing the above process, the portable terminaltransmits the proximity information containing the user information to acertain MFP via the network when entering the detection area of the MFP.The portable terminal transmits the leaving information containing theuser information to a certain MFP via the network when leaving thedetection area of the MFP. The user information contained in theproximity information and the leaving information is the identificationinformation of the portable terminal, the identification information ofthe user, or information indicating both of them. Specifically, theportable terminal can determine whether or not it is within thedetection area according to the signal from the beacon terminal and canprovide the proximity information or the leaving information includingthe user information to the MFP.

Next, the operation of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment isdescribed.

The MFP 1 is communicable with the portable terminal 3 or the PC 4 viathe LAN 5. For example, the MFP 1 receives a processing request such asa print request from the portable terminal 3 or the PC 4 capable ofcommunicating with the MFP 1 via the LAN 5. The MFP 1 manages theprocessing request received from the portable terminal 3 or the PC 4 asa job. The job is held as job information including informationindicating a processing content and information indicating a processingrequest source.

For example, the MFP 1 manages the print request from the portableterminal 3 or the PC 4 as a printing job including informationindicating a printing content and information indicating a print requestsource. The information indicating the print request source includes theuser information indicating a device which issues the print request or auser who requests printing. For example, the user information is theidentification information of the device (the portable terminal or thePC) which issues the print request, the identification information ofthe user who requests printing, or information indicating both of them.The MFP 1 stores the job such as the print job as job information in thedata memory 12 and executes a process based on the job information at apredetermined timing.

In at least one embodiment, the MFP 1 can receive information from theportable terminal 3 via the LAN 5 even in the sleep state. The MFP 1 inthe sleep state receives the proximity information indicating that theportable terminal 3 which receives the signal from the beacon terminal 2enters the detection area. If the proximity information is received inthe sleep state, the MFP 1 shifts (wakes up) from the sleep state to theoperable state according to the received proximity information. Forexample, the MFP 1 wakes up if the print request source of the print jobstored in the data memory 12 is coincident with the portable terminal 3or the user entering the detection area. The MFP 1 may perform login ifthe print request source of the print job is coincident with theportable terminal 3 or the user entering the detection area.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for depicting an example of the operation if theMFP 1 receives the proximity information from the portable terminal 3according to at least one embodiment.

The processor 10 of the MFP 1 enters a state in which the proximityinformation from the portable terminal 3 through the communication I/F23 via the LAN 5 can be received even in the sleep state (ACT 21). Ifthe proximity information is received (Yes in ACT 21), the processor 10compares the proximity information received from the portable terminal 3with the job information held in the data memory 12 (ACT 22).

By comparing the proximity information with the job information, theprocessor 10 determines whether or not an object entering the detectionarea (the portable terminal or the user that enters the detection area)indicated by the user information contained in the proximity informationis coincident with the user information of the job request sourcecontained in the job information (ACT 23). Here, the user informationcontained in the proximity information includes information indicatingthe object entering the detection area (the portable terminal or theuser). The user information of the job request source includesinformation indicating the user who requests the job or the device whichrequests the job.

For example, the processor 10 determines whether or not theidentification information of the user contained in the proximityinformation is coincident with the identification information of theuser who requests the printing which is contained in the jobinformation. The processor 10 may determine whether or not theidentification information of the portable terminal contained in theproximity information is coincident with the identification informationof the device which requests the printing which is contained in the jobinformation.

If there is job information coincident with the user information of theproximity information (Yes in ACT 23), the processor 10 monitors elapsedtime since the object entering the detection area (the portable terminalor the user) enters the detection area (ACT 24). The processor 10 alsomonitors whether an object entering the detection area detected by theproximity information leaves the detection area (ACT 25).

Here, the MFP 1 shifts (wakes up) from the sleep state to the operablestate if the object entering the detection area continues to stay in thedetection region for a first period of time or longer. The first periodof time can be set by the user or the administrator. For example, bysetting the first period of time to “0”, the MFP 1 can wake upimmediately after it detects the object entering the detection area. Ifthe first period of time is lengthened, in a case in which the user whocarries the portable terminal 3 passes through the detection area in ashort time within the first period of time (for example, unintentionallycrosses the detection area), it is possible to prevent the MFP 1 fromwaking up.

If the object entering the detection area leaves the detection areabefore the first period of time elapses (Yes in ACT 25), the processor10 terminates the monitoring of the object entering the detection areaand continues the sleep state. In this case, the processor 10 may returnto the process in ACT 21 to enter a state in which it can receive theinformation from the portable terminal 3 in the sleep state.

If the first period of time elapses while the object entering thedetection area remains in the detection area (Yes in ACT 24), theprocessor 10 shifts (wakes up) from the sleep state to the operablestate (ACT 26). For example, if there is a print job being held, theprocessor 10 supplies the electric power to each drive section of theprinter 18 to shift to a state in which a printing process can beexecuted. If the MFP 1 wakes up, the processor 10 may display a messageindicating that the MFP 1 is executing a wake-up operation on thedisplay device 16.

If the MFP 1 wakes up based on the proximity information, the processor10 determines whether or not the login function is enabled according tothe proximity information (ACT 27). If the login function is enabled(Yes in ACT 27), the processor 10 executes a login process according tothe user information contained in the proximity information (ACT 28).For example, the processor 10 displays an operation menu screen set foreach user as the login processing on the display device 16.

Here, in the MFP 1, whether to execute the login of the user who entersthe detection area based on the proximity information may be set by theuser or the administrator. For example, if the MFP 1 wakes up due to theproximity information, it may be set that the processor 10 executes thelogin process of the user based on the proximity information. If suchlogin function is set to be enabled, the MFP 1 can omit the operationfor the login process by the user who enters the detection area.

In the example of the operation shown in FIG. 5, the wakeup operationand the operation for performing the login when there is the jobinformation that is coincident with the user information of theproximity information are described. However, if there is the userinformation of a registrant registered beforehand which is coincidentwith the user information of the proximity information, the MFP 1 mayexecute the wakeup operation and the login operation. Specifically, ifthe user information of the proximity information is coincident with theuser information of the registrant, the processor 10 may enable the MFP1 to wake up and perform the login as the user of the user information.

According to the above operation, the MFP can detect that the user whocarries the portable terminal capable of receiving the signal from thebeacon terminal enters the detection area according to the proximityinformation from the portable terminal. The MFP in the sleep state canwake up if the information contained in the proximity informationreceived from the portable terminal is coincident with the jobinformation being held. As a result, as soon as the portable terminal orthe user that requests the job to the MFP 1 enters the detection area,the MFP 1 can wake up. Furthermore, the MFP can wake up if the firstperiod of time elapses since the entry to the detection area, therebymaking it possible to reduce wasteful wake-up operation of the MFP.

Next, an example of the operation when the MFP 1 receives the leavinginformation from the portable terminal 3 is described according to atleast one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for depicting an example of the operation when theMFP 1 receives the leaving information from the portable terminal 3.

The processor 10 of the MFP 1 can receive the leaving information fromthe portable terminal 3 through the communication I/F 23 via the LAN 5(ACT 31). If the leaving information is received (Yes in ACT 31), theprocessor 10 compares the user information contained in the receivedleaving information with the operator information indicating the user(operator) who uses the MFP 1 (ACT 32). Here, the user informationcontained in the leaving information includes information indicating anobject leaving the detection area (the portable terminal or the user).The operator information includes the identification information of theuser (operator) who uses the MFP 1 or the identification information ofthe portable terminal carried by the operator. The operator informationmay be the identification information of the user who logs into the MFPor the identification information of the portable terminal used by theuser who is logging in.

By comparing the leaving information with the operator information, theprocessor 10 determines whether or not the user information contained inthe leaving information is coincident with the user informationcontained in the operator information (ACT 33). For example, theprocessor 10 determines whether the identification information of theuser contained in the leaving information is coincident with theidentification information of the user contained in the operatorinformation. The processor 10 may determine whether or not theidentification information of the portable terminal contained in theleaving information is coincident with the identification information ofthe portable terminal of the operator contained in the operatorinformation.

If it is determined that the object leaving the detection area is theoperator who uses the MFP 1 (Yes in ACT 33), the processor 10 monitorsthe elapsed time since the object leaving the detection area (theportable terminal or the user) leaves the detection area (ACT 34). Whilemonitoring the elapsed time, the processor 10 also monitors whether theobject leaving the detection area enters the detection area again (ACT35).

Here, the MFP 1 has a setting for performing logout for the objectleaving the detection area if a second period of time or longer elapsessince the object leaving the detection area leaves the detection area.The second period of time may be set by the administrator or the user.For example, by setting the second period of time to “0”, the MFP 1 canperform logout for the user immediately after detecting the objectleaving the detection area. If the second period of time is lengthened,the MFP 1 may not perform the logout for the user even if the user whocarries the portable terminal 3 temporarily leaves the detection area(for example, unintentionally leaves the detection area).

If the second period of time elapses since the object leaving thedetection area leaves the detection area (Yes in ACT 34), the processor10 determines whether the object leaving the detection area is in thelogin state (ACT 36). If the object leaving the detection area is in thelogin state (Yes in ACT 36), the processor 10 executes a logout process(ACT 37). If the object leaving the detection area enters the detectionarea again before the second period of time elapses (Yes in ACT 35), theprocessor 10 continues the login state of the user and returns to theprocess in ACT 31.

Here, the MFP 1 has a setting of shifting to the sleep state if a thirdperiod of time elapses since the object leaving the detection arealeaves the detection area. The third period of time can be set by theuser or the administrator. For example, by setting the third period oftime to “0”, the MFP 1 can immediately shift to the sleep state as soonas it detects the object leaving the detection area. If the third periodof time is lengthened, even when the user who carries the portableterminal 3 temporarily leaves the detection area, if that period iswithin the third period of time (for example, unintentionally leavingthe detection area), the MFP may not shift to the sleep state.

If the object leaving the detection area enters the detection area againbefore the third period of time elapses (No in ACT 38 and Yes in ACT39), the processor 10 returns to the ACT 31 to enter the operable state.

If the third period of time elapses since the object leaving thedetection area leaves the detection area (Yes in ACT 38), the processor10 of the MFP 1 determines whether to shift to the sleep state (ACT 40).If the sleep function after the user leaves is set to be enabled (Yes inACT 40), the processor 10 of the MFP 1 shifts to the sleep state (ACT41).

The third period of time may be the same as the second period of time.However, in the case of the operation of shifting to the sleep stateafter the logout, the third period of time is set to be equal to orlonger than the second period of time. In the MFP 1 having the functionof performing logout and shifting to the sleep state when apredetermined period time (auto-off time) elapses since the lastoperation is performed, the second period of time and third period oftime are set to be shorter than the auto-off time. As a result, evenbefore the auto-off time elapses, it is possible to perform logout orshift to the sleep state according to the object leaving the detectionarea. In this case, efficient operation according to the movement of theuser can be realized without waiting for the elapse of the auto-offtime.

According to the above operation, the MFP can detect that the userleaves the detection area according to the leaving information from theportable terminal, wherein the user carries the portable terminalcapable of receiving the signal from the beacon terminal.

According to the present embodiment, the MFP performs logout for theuser when the set time (second period of time) elapses since the leavingof the user is detected according to the leaving information. Thus,without performing a specific operation for logout, it is possible tolog out according to the elapse of the time since the user leaves thedetection area.

According to the present embodiment, if the sleep function is enabled,the MFP shifts to the sleep state when the setting time (third period oftime) elapses since the leaving of the user is detected according to theleaving information. Accordingly, the MFP can shift to the sleep stateaccording to the elapse of the time since the user leaves the detectionarea, and the operation control in response to the behavior of the usercan be performed.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the invention. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended tocover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a transmitter configured to send a signal; a communication interface configured to communicate with a portable terminal capable of receiving the signal from the transmitter in a detection area of the signal; and a processor configured to determine whether to shift to an operable state from a sleep state based on whether information contained in response information generated in response to receiving the signal is received by the communication interface from the portable terminal receiving the signal from the transmitter, wherein when determining that the portable terminal has been within the detection area for a first period of time, the processor is configured to shift to the operable state.
 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to control the transmitter to transmit the signal to the portable terminal that includes information identifying the image forming apparatus.
 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to control the transmitter to transmit within the detection area a signal having a signal strength greater than a threshold value.
 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable terminal is one of a smartphone, a wearable terminal, a mobile phone or a tablet PC.
 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the processor shifts to the operable state, the processor is further configured to execute login processing.
 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the portable terminal is determined to have left the detection area before a first period of time, the processor is configured to terminate monitoring of the portable terminal.
 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a memory configured to hold identification information of a user, wherein when identification information of the user contained in the response information is coincident with the identification information of the user stored in the memory, the processor is configured to be logged into by the user specified by the coincident identification information.
 8. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a transmitter configured to send a signal; a communication interface configured to communicate with a portable terminal capable of receiving the signal from the transmitter in a detection area of the signal; and a processor configured to determine whether to shift to an operable state from a sleep state based on whether information contained in response information generated in response to receiving the signal is received by the communication interface from the portable terminal receiving the signal from the transmitter, wherein the processor is configured to shift from the sleep state to the operable state when determining that the portable terminal entering the detection area still exists in the detection region after a setting time elapses.
 9. A method of operating an image forming apparatus, comprising: sending a signal; communicating with a portable terminal capable of receiving the signal in a detection area of the signal; and determining whether to shift to an operable state from a sleep state based on whether information contained in response information to the signal is received from the portable terminal receiving the signal, wherein when determining that the portable terminal has been within the detection area for a first period of time, shifting to the operable state.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the signal includes information identifying an image forming apparatus.
 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein when identification information contained in the response information is coincident with identification information of a user stored in a memory, further comprising conducting a login operation for the user specified by the coincident identification information.
 12. A method of operating an image forming apparatus, comprising: sending a signal; communicating with a portable terminal capable of receiving the signal in a detection area of the signal; determining whether to shift to an operable state from a sleep state based on whether information contained in response information to the signal is received from the portable terminal receiving the signal; and shifting from the sleep state to the operable state when determining that the portable terminal entering the detection area still exists in the detection region after a setting time elapses. 